Wiltshire Council leader to join independent Grenfell taskforce

Communities secretary Sajid Javid today announced details of the taskforce, which will also include Aftab Chugtai, chair of the West Midlands Police Independent Advisory Group; Javed Khan, CEO of Barnado’s; and Chris Wood, former director of housing for three London boroughs.

The group will provide assurance to the government that Royal Borough of Kensington Council has the capacity to deliver an effective, long-term recovery plan and take its residents’ views into account when developing the plan.

Initially, the taskforce will also scrutinise the authority, looking at whether it has the proper arrangements in place to ensure that immediate housing needs resulting from the fires are fully addressed.

It will also support the council to significantly improve housing management, including by tackling problems in the tenant management organisation and making sure it develops a plan for the Grenfell Tower site – with correct leadership and governance arrangements in place to deliver the change.

“I am determined that everything possible is done to support the local community following the disaster,” said Javid. “This includes ensuring an effective recovery plan is developed that takes into account the views of the local community.

“The new taskforce has extensive experience in this area and will provide the council with the expertise needed to deliver this important work.”

The communities secretary has asked the taskforce to draw up an initial report on its priorities by the end of October.

Top Image: Ik Aldama, DPA, PA Images

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